Post bracket

ABSTRACT

A post brackets for supporting a wooden post above the top surface of a concrete foundation and for securing the post to embedded anchors in the concrete foundation.

RELATED APPLICATION INFORMATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.63/115,396, filed Nov. 18, 2020, the contents of which are fullyincorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to post brackets, and moreparticularly to a connection for supporting a post above the top surfaceof a concrete foundation and for securing the post to embedded anchorsin the concrete foundation.

BACKGROUND

In conventional fence construction employing wooden fence posts, thewooden fence posts positioned between sections of fence are typicallyplaced in a hole dug into the ground and held in position by backfilledsoil, or sometimes concrete. Unfortunately, over time the base of thefence posts (e.g., where the fence post meets the soil) is susceptibleto rot; particularly where the fence post is in direct contact with soilor other generally moisture retaining materials.

Over the years, various ground engaging post brackets have beendeveloped in an effort to address wood rot. In particular, U.S. Pat. No.1,544,863 discloses a reinforced-concrete pole base configured to anchora round pole to a concrete foundation. Similarly, the Simpson Strong-TieColumn Base (https://www.strongtie.com/) provides a bracket configuredto connect a square or rectangular post to a concrete foundation inwhich the bottom of the post is designed to be flush with the concrete.

Unfortunately, the process of properly anchoring these post bracketswithin a concrete foundation can be rather cumbersome. That is, withboth of these designs, in order to secure the post bracket in placewithin the concrete foundation, the post bracket must be positioned intoa hole in the ground as concrete is poured around the bracket. Thebracket must then be stabilized in position while the concrete sets.Moreover, most conventional column base brackets (such as thosediscussed above) do not provide adequate resistance to inhibit postmembers from rotating about the base and therefore are not usable fornon-top-supported installations (such as fences or un-braced carports).The present disclosure addresses these concerns.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a post bracket havingstructure enabling the post bracket to be inserted into a pocket of wetconcrete with little resistance, thereby enabling the post bracket to beanchored to the concrete foundation more easily than conventional postbrackets of the prior art. Moreover, embodiments of the presentdisclosure are configured to provide a post bracket configured tosupport a wooden post with a small gap (e.g., from about ¼ inch to about1 inch) between the bottom of the post and the top surface of a concretefoundation embedded within the ground, thereby enabling the wooden postto dry more rapidly (e.g., generally reduce moisture retention) toreduce environmental impacts (e.g., rot) in proximity to the bottom ofthe wooden post, and eliminate moisture uptake from the ground.

One embodiment of the present disclosure provides a post bracket havinga first rigid longitudinal member and an opposing second longitudinalmember, the first and second rigid longitudinal members each including adistal, sharpened concrete penetrating end and a proximal, wooden postengaging end; a first lateral crossmember positioned between the firstand second rigid longitudinal members in proximity to the distalsharpened concrete penetrating end, the first lateral crossmembergenerally having a length and a rectangular shaped cross-section, thelength of the first lateral crossmember so dimensioned to space thefirst and second rigid longitudinal members at a distance approximatelyequal to the width of a fence post, the rectangular shaped cross-sectionso dimensioned as to ease an insertion of the post bracket into aquantity of wet concrete; and a second lateral crossmember positionedbetween the first and second rigid longitudinal members and positionedproximal to the a first lateral crossmember The length of the secondlateral member being approximately equal to the length of the firstlateral crossmember, the second lateral cross section configured toenable a first portion of the second lateral crossmember to be insertedinto the quantity of wet concrete and a second portion of the secondlateral crossmember to engage the bottom of the post to resist lateralforces.

In some embodiments, the shape of the second lateral crossmember canpartially penetrate into the surface of the wet concrete. In otherembodiments, the shape of the cross-section can engage the bottom of afence post. In yet another embodiment, the second lateral crossmembercan have a cross-section such that, one portion of the second lateralcrossmember at least partially penetrates into the surface of the wetconcrete, and another portion of the second lateral crossmember toengage the bottom of a fence post.

In one embodiment, the first and second rigid longitudinal members canbe spaced apart by the first and second lateral crossmembers toaccommodate the receipt of a wooden post. In one embodiment, the woodenpost can be at least one of a nominal 4×4 inch post, nominal 6×6 inchpost, or the like; although other shapes and sizes of posts, pillars andcolumns are also contemplated. In one embodiment, the length of thefirst and second lateral crossmembers can be about 3.5 inches. In oneembodiment, each of the first and second rigid longitudinal members caninclude a pair of throughbores configured to enable a fastener to passtherethrough and into a post, thereby enabling the post to be secured tothe post bracket. In one embodiment, the length of the first and secondrigid longitudinal members can be about 20 inches; although otherlengths of the first and second rigid longitudinal members are alsocontemplated. In some embodiments, all members of the post bracket canbe constructed of a galvanized steel material; although the use of othermaterials, including stainless steel, and synthetic materials etc. isalso contemplated.

The summary above is not intended to describe each illustratedembodiment or every implementation of the present disclosure. Thefigures and the detailed description that follow more particularlyexemplify these embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure can be more completely understood in consideration of thefollowing detailed description of various embodiments of the disclosure,in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top view depicting a post bracket, according to anembodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a left side view depicting the post bracket of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front view depicting the post bracket of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a right side view depicting the post bracket of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view depicting the post bracket of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a perspective depicting the post bracket of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view depicting a post bracket operablycoupling a wooden post to a concrete foundation, in accordance with anembodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view depicting a post bracket operably couplinga wooden post to a concrete foundation, in accordance with an embodimentof the disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view depicting a post bracket, according to analternate embodiment of the disclosure.

While embodiments of the disclosure are amenable to variousmodifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof shown by way ofexample in the drawings will be described in detail. It should beunderstood, however, that the intention is not to limit the disclosureto the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intentionis to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives fallingwithin the spirit and scope of the subject matter as defined by theclaims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-7, various views of a post bracket 100 are depictedin accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. One embodiment ofthe post bracket 100 can include a first rigid longitudinal member 102Aand a second rigid longitudinal member 102B. The first and second rigidlongitudinal members 102A/B can each include a distal, sharpenedconcrete penetrating end 104A/B and a proximal, wooden post engaging end106A/B.

In some embodiments, the post bracket 100 can further include a firstlateral crossmember 108 positioned between the first and second rigidlongitudinal members 102A/B in proximity to the distal sharpenedconcrete penetrating end 104A/B. The first lateral crossmember 108 cangenerally have a length and a rectangular shaped cross-section 110. Forexample, in one embodiment, the first lateral crossmember 108 can beconstructed of a 3/16 inch bar stock, having a width of about 2 inchesand a length of about 3.5 inches. In some embodiments, the length of thefirst lateral crossmember 108 can be so dimensioned to space the firstand second rigid longitudinal members 102A/B at a distance approximatelyequal to that of the width of a wooden fence post. The rectangularshaped cross-section 110 can be so dimensioned as to ease an insertionof the post bracket into a quantity of wet concrete.

In some embodiments, the post bracket 100 can further include a secondlateral crossmember 112 positioned between the first and second rigidlongitudinal members 102A/B and positioned proximal to the first lateralcrossmember 108. The second lateral crossmember 112 can generally have alength and a various cross-sections 114. For example, in one embodiment,the second lateral crossmember 112 can be constructed of a 3/16 incht-bar stock, having a width of about 2 inches and a length of about 3.5inches. In one embodiment, the length of the second lateral member 112can be approximately equal to the length of the first lateralcrossmember 108. In one embodiment, the cross-section 114 can beconfigured to enable a first portion 116A of the second lateralcrossmember 112 to be inserted into the quantity of wet concrete and asecond portion 116B of the second lateral crossmember 112 to reside on asurface of the quantity of wet concrete.

In one embodiment, the first and second rigid longitudinal members canbe spaced apart by the first and second lateral crossmembers toaccommodate the receipt of a post. In one embodiment, the post can be atleast one of a nominal 4×4 inch post, nominal 6×6 inch wooden post, orthe like; although other shapes and sizes and differing materials ofposts, pillars and columns are also contemplated. In one embodiment, thelength of the first and second lateral crossmembers can be approximately3.5 inches.

In one embodiment, each of the first and second rigid longitudinalmembers can include a pair of throughbores 118A/B configured to enable afastener (e.g., a bolt passing entirely through the first and secondrigid longitudinal members or a pair of lag-bolts each passing through asingle rigid longitudinal member and anchored into a wooden post, etc.)to pass therethrough and into a wooden post, thereby enabling the woodenpost to be secured to the post bracket. For example, in one embodiment,the throughbores 118A/B can have a diameter of approximately ½ inch, ⅜inch, etc.

In one embodiment, a length of the first and second rigid longitudinalmembers 102A/B can be about 20 inches (e.g., with about 9 inches of thepost bracket 100 configured to be positioned within the concrete, andabout 11 inches of the post bracket 100 configured to be positionedabove the concrete); although other lengths of the first and secondrigid longitudinal members 102A/B are also contemplated (e.g., theembodiment depicted in FIG. 6). In some embodiments, all members of thepost bracket can be constructed of a galvanized steel material; althoughthe use of other materials, including stainless steel, etc. is alsocontemplated.

Various embodiments of systems, devices, and methods have been describedherein. These embodiments are given only by way of example and are notintended to limit the scope of the claimed inventions. It should beappreciated, moreover, that the various features of the embodiments thathave been described may be combined in various ways to produce numerousadditional embodiments. Moreover, while various materials, dimensions,shapes, configurations and locations, etc. have been described for usewith disclosed embodiments, others besides those disclosed may beutilized without exceeding the scope of the claimed inventions.

Persons of ordinary skill in the relevant arts will recognize that thesubject matter hereof may comprise fewer features than illustrated inany individual embodiment described above. The embodiments describedherein are not meant to be an exhaustive presentation of the ways inwhich the various features of the subject matter hereof may be combined.Accordingly, the embodiments are not mutually exclusive combinations offeatures; rather, the various embodiments can comprise a combination ofdifferent individual features selected from different individualembodiments, as understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art.Moreover, elements described with respect to one embodiment can beimplemented in other embodiments even when not described in suchembodiments unless otherwise noted.

Although a dependent claim may refer in the claims to a specificcombination with one or more other claims, other embodiments can alsoinclude a combination of the dependent claim with the subject matter ofeach other dependent claim or a combination of one or more features withother dependent or independent claims. Such combinations are proposedherein unless it is stated that a specific combination is not intended.

Any incorporation by reference of documents above is limited such thatno subject matter is incorporated that is contrary to the explicitdisclosure herein. Any incorporation by reference of documents above isfurther limited such that no claims included in the documents areincorporated by reference herein. Any incorporation by reference ofdocuments above is yet further limited such that any definitionsprovided in the documents are not incorporated by reference hereinunless expressly included herein.

For purposes of interpreting the claims, it is expressly intended thatthe provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) are not to be invoked unless thespecific terms “means for” or “step for” are recited in a claim.

What is claimed is:
 1. A post bracket for securing a post to a concrete foundation, the post bracket comprising: a first rigid longitudinal member and an opposing second longitudinal member, the first and second rigid longitudinal members each including a distal, sharpened concrete penetrating end and a proximal, post engaging end; a first lateral crossmember positioned between the first and second rigid longitudinal members in proximity to the distal sharpened concrete penetrating end, the first lateral crossmember generally having a length and a rectangular shaped cross-section, the length of the first lateral crossmember so dimensioned to space the first and second rigid longitudinal members at a distance approximately equal to the width of a post, the rectangular shaped cross-section so dimensioned as to ease an insertion of the post bracket into wet concrete; and a second lateral crossmember positioned between the first and second rigid longitudinal members and positioned proximal to the a first lateral crossmember, the length of the second lateral member being approximately equal to the length of the first lateral crossmember, the second lateral cross section configured to enable a first portion of the second lateral crossmember to be inserted into the quantity of wet concrete and a second portion of the second lateral crossmember to engage the bottom of the post to resist lateral forces.
 2. The post bracket of claim 1, wherein the shape of the second lateral crossmember is configured to at least partially penetrate into the surface of the wet concrete.
 3. The post bracket of claim 1, wherein the shape of the second lateral crossmember is configured to at least partially engage a bottom of the post.
 4. The post bracket of claim 1, wherein the second lateral crossmember has a cross-section defining a first portion of the second lateral crossmember configured to at least partially penetrate into the surface of the wet concrete, and a second portion of the second lateral crossmember configured to engage with the bottom of the post.
 5. The post bracket of claim 1, wherein the first and second rigid longitudinal members are spaced apart by the first and second lateral crossmembers to accommodate the receipt of a wooden fence post.
 6. The post bracket of claim 1, wherein the first and second rigid longitudinal members are spaced apart by the first and second lateral crossmembers to accommodate the receipt of a post having an outer dimension of at least about 3.5 inches by about 3.5 inches.
 7. The post bracket of claim 1, wherein the first and second rigid longitudinal members are spaced apart by the first and second lateral crossmembers to accommodate the receipt of a standard sized wooden post.
 8. The post bracket of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second rigid longitudinal members defined a pair of throughbores configured to enable a fastener to pass therethrough and into the post, thereby enabling the post to be secured to the post bracket.
 9. The post bracket of claim 1, wherein the length of the first and second rigid longitudinal members measures about 20 inches.
 10. The post bracket of claim 1, wherein the first and second rigid longitudinal members are constructed of a galvanized steel material.
 11. A post bracket for supporting a wooden post above a top surface of a concrete foundation, the post bracket comprising: a first rigid longitudinal member and an opposing second longitudinal member, the first and second rigid longitudinal members each including a distal, sharpened concrete penetrating end and a proximal, wooden post engaging end; a first lateral crossmember positioned between the first and second rigid longitudinal members in proximity to the distal sharpened concrete penetrating end, the first lateral crossmember generally having a length and a rectangular shaped cross-section, the length of the first lateral crossmember so dimensioned to space the first and second rigid longitudinal members at a distance approximately equal to the width of a wooden post, the rectangular shaped cross-section so dimensioned as to ease an insertion of the post bracket into wet concrete; and a second lateral crossmember positioned between the first and second rigid longitudinal members and positioned proximal to the a first lateral crossmember, the length of the second lateral member being approximately equal to the length of the first lateral crossmember, the second lateral cross section configured to enable a first portion of the second lateral crossmember to be inserted into the quantity of wet concrete and a second portion of the second lateral crossmember to engage the bottom of the wooden post to resist lateral forces.
 12. The post bracket of claim 11, wherein the shape of the second lateral crossmember is configured to at least partially penetrate into the surface of the wet concrete.
 13. The post bracket of claim 11, wherein the shape of the second lateral crossmember is configured to at least partially engage a bottom of the post.
 14. The post bracket of claim 11, wherein the second lateral crossmember has a cross-section defining a first portion of the second lateral crossmember configured to at least partially penetrate into the surface of the wet concrete, and a second portion of the second lateral crossmember configured to engage with the bottom of the post.
 15. The post bracket of claim 11, wherein the first and second rigid longitudinal members are spaced apart by the first and second lateral crossmembers to accommodate the receipt of a standard sized wooden fence post.
 16. The post bracket of claim 11, wherein the first and second rigid longitudinal members are spaced apart by the first and second lateral crossmembers to accommodate the receipt of a wooden post having an outer dimension of at least about 3.5 inches by about 3.5 inches.
 17. The post bracket of claim 11, wherein each of the first and second rigid longitudinal members defined a pair of throughbores configured to enable a fastener to pass therethrough and into the wooden post, thereby enabling the wooden post to be secured to the post bracket.
 18. The post bracket of claim 11, wherein the length of the first and second rigid longitudinal members measures about 20 inches.
 19. The post bracket of claim 11, wherein the first and second rigid longitudinal members are constructed of a galvanized steel material.
 20. A post bracket for securing a post to a concrete foundation, the post bracket comprising: a first rigid longitudinal member and an opposing second longitudinal member constructed of a galvanized steel material, the first and second rigid longitudinal members each including a distal, sharpened concrete penetrating end and a proximal, post engaging end; a first lateral crossmember constructed of a galvanized steel material positioned between the first and second rigid longitudinal members in proximity to the distal sharpened concrete penetrating end, the first lateral crossmember generally having a length and a rectangular shaped cross-section, the length of the first lateral crossmember measuring at least about 3.5 inches, the rectangular shaped cross-section so dimensioned as to ease an insertion of the post bracket into wet concrete; and a second lateral crossmember constructed of a galvanized steel material positioned between the first and second rigid longitudinal members and positioned proximal to the a first lateral crossmember, the length of the second lateral member being approximately equal to the length of the first lateral crossmember, the second lateral cross section configured to enable a first portion of the second lateral crossmember to be inserted into the quantity of wet concrete and a second portion of the second lateral crossmember to engage the bottom of the post to resist lateral forces, wherein each of the first and second rigid longitudinal members defined a pair of throughbores configured to enable a fastener to pass therethrough and into the post, thereby enabling the post to be secured to the post bracket. 